Michael David Schechtman

1947 - 2024

Michael David Schechtman

March 28, 1947 - August 7, 2024

HELENA - Michael David Schechtman, age 77, died suddenly from a cardiac event in his home in Helena, MT on August 7, 2024. Michael was born on March 28, 1947 in Fitchburg, MA. He was the son of the late Dr. Harold I. Schechtman and the late Harriet K. Schechtman. He was the younger brother of the late Rachel L. Schechtman. He is survived by his brother Joe, sister Judy, his sister-in-law Lauren Schechtman and his brother-in-law Ed De Vos. Mike nurtured relationships with his nephew Noah Schechtman and his wife, Katie Raskin, and his nieces, Leah (Schechtman) Cohen and her husband Robbie Cohen, Erica and Sarah De Vos and Sarah's husband Jeff Drouin. He delighted in his great nieces and nephews.

Although Mike left Massachusetts for college at 17 and kept moving west, a HUGE piece of his heart was tethered to his dear relatives, friends, Boston (its history, architecture, its sports teams, and museums), the ocean, the mountains, and the woods of New England. Mike attended Mount Hermon Prep School, earned a BA from University of Chicago and an MS from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources, with a concentration in Environmental Advocacy.

Mike's life changing relationship with Boston University Sargent Camp began when he was 8 and never ended! He advanced through every camper group and then trained through the ranks to become a group leader, learning about community building, becoming a global citizen, and leadership. Mike's summers in the woods and on the waterways of New England taught him to revere nature and inspired him to become active in the environmental movement after participating in teach-ins at the University of Michigan during the first Earth Day celebration in 1970.

Mike dedicated his entire career to the nonprofit sector. He became the second director of the Ann Arbor Ecology Center in 1971. He co-founded the Illinois South Project to take on the coal industry and mitigate its environmental destruction for the next 10 years. Mike moved to Montana to be the executive director of Northern Rockies Action Group, followed by 22 years as founder and executive director of the Big Sky Institute for the Advancement of Nonprofits in Helena, Montana. He retired just last year. Mike walked the walk in every aspect of his life - a kind, gentle giant committed to making the world a better place for all.

For all his passion and lofty ideals, Mike's feet were firmly rooted in clay. His quick wit offered up endless puns, most of which were quite funny, but some of which were… Either way, Mike laughed the hardest at them all, sharing great humor through the joy of his own delight.

A celebration of Mike's life will be held next month in Helena, Montana and at a later date in Rhode Island.

Mike's final legacy is linked to his lengthy and enduring commitment to the Montana nonprofit community sector. He worked with close friends and allies to establish the Big Sky Institute Nonprofit Sustainability Fund. The endowment provides grants to Helena area nonprofits for training to improve and support their financial health. Donations in memory of Mike can be mailed to the Montana Community Foundation, PO Box 1145, Helena, MT 59624. Please specify that your contribution be directed to the Big Sky Institute Nonprofit Sustainability Fund or donate online at: https://mtcf.org/giving/donate-now/give-now?fn=big-sky-institute-sustainability-fund

Additionally, Mike had recently recommitted himself to Judaism. He joined the effort to buy back the Jewish synagogue and to breathe new life and create sustainability into the Jewish Community and congregation through the Montana Jewish Project (MJP). Donations for MJP can be sent to: PO Box 491 Helena, Mt. 59624 or donate online at: https://www.montanajewishproject.com/lessonplans

We miss you deeply. We are so grateful for the time we had with you and your rich legacy. Rest, our dear Mike - your endless labor and commitment endure.

Burial is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Home of Peace Cemetery in Helena, MT. A celebration of Mike's life followed by a reception will be held at Helena's Holter Museum, Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 5:30 PM. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Mike.